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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
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Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
19.8K
Disrupted fundamental frequency encoding in sensorineural hearing loss revealed by the frequency-following response
Laura Jacxsens1, Lana Biot2, Tinne Vandenbroeke2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Edegem, Belgium; Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Hearing Research
|September 21, 2025
Summary
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) impairs the brain's ability to process speech sounds, as shown by altered frequency-following responses (FFRs). FFRs offer a promising objective measure for auditory processing deficits in SNHL.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Speech Processing
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The frequency-following response (FFR) reflects neural encoding of speech spectro-temporal features.
- Previous FFR research in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) yielded inconsistent results.
- Limitations in prior studies included small sample sizes and inadequate stimulus control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of SNHL on FFRs.
- To explore the relationship between hearing thresholds and FFR measures.
- To assess the utility of FFR as an objective marker for auditory processing deficits.
Main Methods:
- Seventy adults with normal hearing or SNHL participated.
- Pure-tone audiometry and speech-in-noise tests were conducted.
- Monaurally presented /dao/ stimuli (217 ms) were used to record FFRs, calibrated to audibility levels.
Main Results:
- Hearing thresholds significantly correlated with FFR fundamental frequency (F0) amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
- Pitch encoding measures (error, strength) and cross-correlation were associated with hearing thresholds.
- Speech-in-noise performance correlated with FFR SNR at F0 for the /o/ vowel.
Conclusions:
- SNHL disrupts subcortical encoding of speech fundamental frequency, especially for vowel sounds.
- FFR measures, particularly SNR at F0, are sensitive to hearing loss.
- FFR shows potential as an objective biomarker for auditory processing deficits in SNHL.
Keywords:
Envelope following responseFrequency following responseFundamental frequencySensorineural hearing lossMore Related Videos
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